Mark Hughes says Queens Park Rangers need stability

Mark Hughes understands the Queens Park Rangers fans' frustration, but insists now is not the time to change.

Last Updated: 20/11/12 10:18am

Mark Hughes: Queens Park Rangers manager believes it is not the time to make big changes

QPR are yet to win in the Premier League this season and Saturday's 3-1 defeat at home by fellow strugglers Southampton saw supporters call for Harry Redknapp to replace Hughes.

Owner Tony Fernandes has so far stood by Hughes and the QPR boss believes that stability should be the watchword at Loftus Road following a summer overhaul of the squad.

"Stability is absolutely what this club needs in the long term," said Hughes.

"Until you get to that point where you can establish yourself in the Premier League, then you have to go through periods where there is doubt or apprehension about what the future holds.

"We are at that point in time now, but I think wholesale changes once again for this club would be the wrong decision in my view. You would expect me to say that but I honestly believe it.

"The owners understand that we're at that place in time. We just need to get through this, come out the other side and look back at this and think, 'We needed to go through that period to grow stronger'.

"It is difficult for everybody at the moment but we're not going to run away from it."

QPR fans were vocal in their anger during the defeat to Saints, chanting 'You're only here for the money' at the players, but Hughes insists they remain committed to the cause.

"I can understand totally the frustration of the fans and they are well within their rights to say that," he said. "I can assure them that is not the case. Everyone is working exceptionally hard to turn this around.

"We just didn't perform as a team. When you have a poor performance, the fans, given where we are, they are absolutely right to criticise."

After narrowly avoiding relegation on the final day of last season, Hughes vowed that QPR would not find themselves in another fight for survival again under his leadership, but he admits their ambitions have changed.

"We're at a point in time where we need to understand where we are," Hughes said.

"We're not talking about a successful mid-table finish now because, given the manner of the performance against Southampton, we are in danger of going down.

"We have to recognise that, we have to get the right mentality to move us forward and maybe the right players.

"I take responsibility for that and, given the performance, I picked the wrong players (against Southampton)."